Advocate Simranjit Singh Blassi, arrested for allegedly brandishing a sword and assaulting Bar members, was granted bail after the complainant informed the court they had no objection. The incident also involved another lawyer, Ravneet Kaur, whose license has been suspended.
A local court on Saturday granted bail to advocate Simranjit Singh Blassi, who was arrested on September 17 for allegedly brandishing a sword at the Punjab and Haryana High Court complex and assaulting members of the Bar association.
The court allowed the bail after the complainant party informed that they had no objection to his release. After hearing both sides, the court accepted Blassi’s bail plea and directed him to furnish bonds.
Following the incident in court, Blassi, from Azad Nagar, Ferozepur, along with another advocate, Ravneet Kaur, were booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). These included Sections 109 (1) (attempt to murder), 115 (2) (voluntarily causing hurt), 126 (2) (wrongful restraint), 351(2) (criminal intimidation), and 3(5) (common intention).
Blassi was arrested by the Sector 3 police, while Kaur has not been arrested so far.
A senior criminal lawyer, who requested anonymity, commented on the unusual speed of the bail. The lawyer said,
“Bail was not typically granted so quickly in serious, non-compoundable offences like this.”
The lawyer added that the attempt to murder charge is triable by a sessions court, and if a compromise is reached, the high court has the authority to review the matter.
Bar association president Sartej Singh Narula noted,
“Blassi’s family, along with some senior lawyers, had met the Bar executive members on Saturday and were apologetic about whatever happened.”
He further said,
“Keeping in view the psychological condition of Blassi, as stated by the family, and upon Bar executive members’ intervention, the complainant and one injured lawyer appeared before the court and deposed that they do not want to proceed against Blassi in view of his medical condition.”
Blassi’s counsel stated that they had filed a bail application challenging the “attempt to murder” charge, arguing that the injured person had only suffered a minor cut on his finger.
The defence also requested the court to preserve the high court’s CCTV footage, claiming that Blassi was also assaulted by other advocates. A DDR had also been registered on his behalf against unidentified advocates.
The initial complaint was lodged by advocate Palak Dev against both Blassi and Kaur. According to the FIR, Kaur was allegedly quarrelling with library staff on September 17 when Dev intervened.
Blassi, who was with Kaur, allegedly began arguing with Dev while carrying a sword. The altercation continued outside a courtroom where Kaur’s case was being heard.
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Dev alleged that Blassi threatened to kill them and attempted to attack her, but another advocate, Sutikshan Sharma, was injured on his arm and finger while intervening.
Following the incident, the lawyers observed a one-day strike on Thursday. However, they called off the strike after meeting with the chief justice and after a criminal case was registered against Kaur and Blassi. The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana has also suspended the licences of both lawyers.
On Friday, the high court directed the Chandigarh Police not to take further action on the violent clash based on Blassi’s statement. The direction was passed by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanijv Berry after taking suo motu notice of the incident.
The high court acted further upon receiving a letter from the Bar association secretary. The secretary had sought court intervention regarding allegedly defamatory posts by Kaur against executive body members, accusing them of harassing her.
Background
The Bar Council of Punjab and Haryana took strict action against advocates Ravneet Kaur and Simranjit Singh Blassi following a violent incident at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The two lawyers were accused of assaulting the Secretary and other members of the High Court Bar Association (PHHCBA), with Blassi reportedly brandishing a sword inside the court premises.
The Council’s special disciplinary committee termed the actions as serious misconduct, stating that their behavior violated the ethical and professional standards under the Advocates Act and BCI Rules. Ravneet Kaur’s license had already been under scrutiny due to previous misconduct and concealment during the license process.
Notices were issued to both lawyers, prohibiting them from appearing in any court or representing clients, and their licenses were suspended immediately.
The PHHCBA also confirmed filing an FIR against the two advocates and announced a strike to protest the incident and alleged police inaction.
The incident sparked widespread concern over safety and discipline within the court premises, prompting the Bar Council and court authorities to intervene.
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